The Shania Twain Interview

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Interview by Tonya Mei. (For OK! Magazine)

OK! met up with Shania in her west London hotel room to catch up with her at this exciting stage of her career.

Shania, you recently had a massive hit with the song That Don't Impress Me Much, I know everyone will have asked you this, but what does Impress you?

Personality first and foremost impresses me. I think somebody's character is so much more important than looks. It's also way beyond material things and women don't need to find a guy who's got a great car or a great job or a great house any more. We can buy all those material things for ourselves and I really don't think that we look to rely on men any more.

And what made you write the song? Was it any man in particular or just a reflection of society in general?

What I wanted to point out is that women are much more independent these days, we make our own money and we don't need men so much. It's not even a matter of independence - society has turned around so much, the way the economy is, women have to work for a living. I'm at a point of my life where I feel as free as I ever have as a female and I'm just having fun pointing that out in my songs. I used to almost resent being a girl because I was a complete and utter tomboy but now I love my femininity.

Your husband, Mutt Lange, is also your producer. Do you find it difficult to live and work together?

Working together is great fun. I love writing with him, he is so young and enthusiastic about his music. We incorporate it into our lifestyle, I could be cooking or doing the laundry and we'll come up with a few lines or a tune and just go off and write a song from it. It's part of our lifestyle. We have fun together, we'll take our guitars and start jamming together. However, we keep the relationship pleasurable by going off and doing our own thing. he works on lots of other acts and I can go and ride my horses.

You are famed for writing ballads. Are they all about your husband?

Absolutely. He's all that I could want.

You both left the States and moved to a chateau in Switzerland last year. What made you decide to move?

I really wanted more privacy - privacy to go to the diary, to the corner store, to dinner or whatever. Switzerland is one of the places where I can achieve that more than most places.

Are you happy with your position now and everything you have achieved?

I'm very happy now. It takes a lot of work, so the work is paying off. It takes a lot of effort and things don't happen at the snap of a finger and if they do you are very lucky. A lot of times if they do happen like that, there's very rarely longevity to it. So I don't mind, I understand what it means to put work into something and it's really rewarding to see a reaction now.

What music do you listen to yourself and who do you admire musically?

I listen to so many different types of music, from the Backstreet Boys to Fleetwood Mac to Billie Holliday. Elton john is always someone who I've admired greatly musically and vocally, he always moves me when he sings and he's just such an amazingly musical man. I've always been a huge fan, huge fan of Stevie Wonder for exactly the same reasons.

Is there anyone you would really like to work with or meet?

I'm not a big groupie really, if there's people I admire I don't need to meet them. Actually, I don't really have industry friends as such. If you do meet people you're always in the public eye and you don't have time to get to know each other, although it would be nice.

You have been offered lots of movie roles recently. Have you been tempted at all?

I get offers every once in a while. I had'nt considered them for the longest time as I decided that I did'nt have the time to get involved with one. But I'm getting to the point now where I think I might loosen up about it and say, 'Yeah, if something cool comes along let me know and I'll think about it.' But for the time being I'm happy working on my music with my husband.

Talking about your husband, he's never been photographed with you in public. Is there any reason for that?

He just really doesn't have any desire to be famous. His goal in life is not to be a celebrity. I mean, my goal in life is not to be a celebrity either but it's a by-product of my job - you simply have to do it. He does go to cetain lengths to protect his privacy, like standing out to the side if someone is taking a photo around him. But he wouldn't ever twist a guy's arm to get the film back. He's just not like that as a person - but he is a bit shy.

Your mother and stepfather died when you were 21 and you spent a long time bringing up your brothers and sisters. After all that, do you and Mutt still want to have children?

It hasn't put me off but I'm in no rush. I think I would like a child some day, but I don't feel this great urge.

And did your brothers and sisters appreciate what you did for them, putting your life on hold for them?

I don't know. I think they just felt it was necessary, they would have done the same for me - I don't think they feel they owe me some big thing. It's just the way it happened.

Your natural father is still alive. Do you have any desire to see him?

No. It's kind of late in life for me personally. He left us when I was a toddler and the first time I remember meeting him very briefly was when I was 13. But he has tried to contact us a couple of times since then. He tried to get in touch after my parents died but he was drinking so I just decided I didn't want to talk to him. I've never spoken to him since. The press give the impression that we knew each other and I have decided that I don't want to know him any more - the reality is that I didn't ever know him.

Are you still close to all your sisters and brothers?

Yes, very close. My sister is with me in London right now. I try and get them to come with me whenever I have the opportunity. She came a couple of days early so we could spend some time together. We had a great time and went shopping in Harvey Nichols and to the lovely antiques shops on the Kings Road. I bought some lovely 18th Century antiques.

What are your other extravagances?

You know what, having a lovely life, that is my luxury. I'm not a very extravagant person and I think it's because of my background. Right now, I still feel a little reluctant to be extravagant. Maybe I'll get over that - I don't know but I feel like I would be pushing my luck. My main luxury is having my own horses, even though they arent that expensive. But really, life is wonderful and thats such a luxury. It shouldn't be like that - everyone should have a wonderful life - but when you have money stress and you can't pay the bills, life is not lovely. I go into shops and even though I could probably afford to buy everything on display, I still don't do it.

You've just signed a multi-million pound two-year deal with Revlon, following in the footsteps of other beautiful women such as Cindy Crawford and Melanie Griffith. How does that make you feel?

I'm thrilled to be part of that because we are sp compatible. My image and music fits their campaign perfectly and I didn't have to compromise at all. They just let me be myself and that's what makes it the perfect relationship. Also, it's an extension of what I already do in my own job - dressing up and play acting. Except that this time, they are paying me to do it. Normally, it's a lot more stressful as I'm the boss, I'm the one directing and it's my money being spent - so working on the Revlon adverts is a nice change. And it's incredlbly flattering to be recognised with some of the most beautiful women in the world.

So you get paid to wear amazing make-up and clothes and have your photos taken by Herb Ritts...

Yeah, and it's a lot of fun. You go there, they do your nails, do your hair and make-up and are great to you. And Herb Ritts was a joy to work with. It's like I've been a special guest of Revlon.